West Bengal PM POSHAN Scheme: 1 Lakh More Students to Get Mid-Day Meals From October 1

The West Bengal government is set to expand its PM POSHAN midday meal programme to an additional 1 lakh students from October 1, 2026. The expansion is part of the state's plan to gradually extend the balanced meal programme to students enrolled in government and government-aided schools across West Bengal.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Annamrita Foundation, an organisation associated with ISKCON, through centralised kitchens that prepare and supply cooked meals to schools. The programme was initially launched on August 1, 2026, covering around 30,000 students. Following the first phase, another 15,000 students were added, taking the current coverage to approximately 45,000 students. 

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PM POSHAN West Bengal: What Is Changing From October 1?

According to the announcement, another 1 lakh students will be brought under the expanded meal programme from October 1. The state government has indicated that this is part of a longer-term plan to eventually provide the programme to all students in government and government-aided schools in the state. 

The meals are prepared through centralised modern kitchens. According to the state government's account, the initiative focuses on hygienic food preparation, prescribed calorie and protein standards and timely delivery to schools. 

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How Did the West Bengal PM POSHAN Programme Begin?

The centralized meal initiative began on August 1 with approximately 30,000 students. The Annamrita Foundation was entrusted with preparing and delivering freshly cooked meals through a centralised kitchen model.

After the initial rollout, the state expanded the service to another 15,000 students, taking the total number of beneficiaries to around 45,000. The next phase will add another 1 lakh students from October 1. 

The expansion comes amid discussions around the implementation of the school midday meal programme, including concerns raised earlier over menu choices and meal delivery. The government subsequently decided to provide eggs separately under the school meal programme.

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PM POSHAN in West Bengal: What Is the Long-Term Plan?

The state government has said that the expanded initiative is intended to eventually reach every student in government and government-aided schools across West Bengal. The focus is on providing balanced and nutritious meals while addressing hunger and nutritional deficiencies among schoolchildren. 

The latest expansion will therefore significantly increase the number of students receiving meals through the centralised kitchen model from October 1.

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Akshaya Patra Approval Withdrawn in Four West Bengal Districts

Separately, the West Bengal School Education Department recently withdrew its approval for the Akshaya Patra Foundation to provide PM POSHAN meals in parts of North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Purba Medinipur and Purulia. The September 11 order withdrew an earlier approval issued in August, although the notification itself did not specify the reason. 

This development is separate from the continued expansion of the programme through Annamrita Foundation. Reports have also noted that ISKCON has stated that Annamrita Foundation and Akshaya Patra Foundation are legally separate organisations from its governing body.

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